If you’re a retiree looking for work, we’ve got great news: Telecommuting offers a wealth of opportunities.

Whatever field you worked in before retirement, you can find a telecommuting job that translates well to your prior experience. There are limitless opportunities with virtual work. Here are the Top 5 Benefits Telecommuting Offers Retirees:

1. Finally doing what you love. Telecommuting opens up an entire world of opportunities. You can work in practically any field. Get started by considering how you can transfer your current skill set to the field you want to work in.

For example, maybe you worked as a corporate trainer before you retired, but you’ve always wanted to teach children. Why not consider working as a virtual tutor? Perhaps you worked in finance, but always received kudos for your writing skills. Maybe you can write for a business or personal savings blog.

2. Staying connected. Telecommuting offers you a convenient way to stay in tune with professional trends and enjoy virtual relationships with co-workers. Staying connected through telecommuting can also reduce loneliness and help keep your mind sharp. In addition to your online job, you might also consider joining virtual communities in your field to network and socialize.

3. Having access to loved ones. If you’re in a position where you’re the primary caretaker for a spouse or other loved, working-from-home is an ideal way to earn money. Because telecommute work doesn’t require you to leave your home and is often flexible work, you can balance your caregiving responsibilities with your professional and financial needs.

4. Flexibility. Maybe you want to work, but you own an RV and like to travel or perhaps you wan to see your grandchildren a few weeks here and there and don’t want to feel trapped by a job. Telecommuting work usually means you can work from anywhere you have access to the Internet, and these days that’s just about everywhere. Find a job that works with your schedule and pack your bags!

5. Supplemental income. Like many retirees, you want to do all those little extras you didn’t have time for while you were busy raising a family and climbing the corporate ladder. Unfortunately, the extras require a bit more disposable income. A telecommuting job offers you the chance to bring in money to support a comfortable lifestyle without depleting your savings.

Getting Started

If you’re ready to look for a telecommuting job but don’t know where to start, we have a few tips to get you started:

Jot down your skills, talents, and experience. If you’ve been out of the workplace for several years or never held a long term job, don’t get discouraged. You still probably have skills that are valuable to an employer. Have you been on the Board of Hospice for a decade? Developed and lead a community garden? What skills did you develop along the way?

Write down why you want to telecommute. What appeals to you about working from home? Is it the flexibility? Added income? Keeping busy? Whatever the reason, make note to help guide your employment decisions.

Consider what you are looking for. What do you want from a telecommute job? Are you only interested in part-time work? Are you looking for a job that has morning hours? Do you need benefits?

Determine which fields you want to work in. We encourage you to stretch yourself here! Don’t pigeon-hole yourself into your previous career unless it still thrills you.

Want to Start Telecommuting but Still Feel Unprepared?

If you’re not feeling computer savvy enough to work from home, head to the library or your local community college and take a few courses computer classes to sharpen your skill. You don’t have to be a computer wiz to work from home online. Don’t sell yourself short. You have the maturity, work ethic, and experience that younger candidates just haven’t earned yet.

Are you a retiree looking for an online job? What concerns can we help you with?